Air traffic controllers sue feds over shutdown

Air traffic controllers, who are required to work without pay during the shutdown, were scheduled to receive a paycheck Thursday and instead got pay stubs reading zero or one or two dollars. | Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The union that represents air traffic controllers is suing the federal government over the partial shutdown, joining a growing list of unions that have filed complaints, including one on behalf of TSA agents.

The suit, which names President Donald Trump along with several FAA officials as defendants, accuses the administration of “depriving [air traffic controllers] of their hard-earned compensation without the requisite due process.”

Story Continued Below

Controllers, who are required to work without pay during the shutdown, were scheduled to receive a paycheck Thursday and instead got pay stubs reading zero or one or two dollars. Many have worked overtime during the shutdown for which they also haven’t been compensated.

“Defendants’ unlawful failure to pay plaintiffs and those similarly situated has and continues to have a devastating effect on those devoted federal employees’ lives,” the National Air Traffic Controllers Association wrote.

The union that represents TSA agents has also sued,alleging the shutdown violates labor laws.

This article tagged under:

Missing out on the latest scoops? Sign up for POLITICO Playbook and get the latest news, every morning — in your inbox.